MATCH PREVIEW: Liverpool vs Arsenal
The champions host the title hopefuls at Anfield this Sunday in a blockbuster early-season clash, with both teams putting their 100% records on the line.
Mikel Arteta's side have not lost a "Big six" encounter since April 2023. In that time, the Gunners have played 22, winning 13 and drawing nine – amassing 48 points. For context, this is 12 more points than Liverpool have achieved and 19 more than Man City against the same opponents. The numbers highlight Arsenal's ability to rise to high-profile occasions, and sustaining that edge against direct rivals could prove decisive in the title race.
Arsenal have not won at Anfield since 2012, when Mikel Arteta was still on the pitch rather than the sidelines. The Spaniard faced Arne Slot in the Premier League for the first time last season, with both games ending in 2-2 draws.
Both teams have managed to collect maximum points in the league so far, albeit in contrasting fashion.
On paper, Arsenal's start has been impressive: two wins, six goals scored and exactly zero conceded. The campaign opened with a hard-fought 1-0 victory at Old Trafford, where Manchester United controlled large spells of the game but rarely threatened David Raya. That performance sparked questions about how Mikel Arteta would adapt his system to accommodate new number nine Viktor Gyokeres. Any doubts were quickly eased a week later at the Emirates, as the Swede struck twice in a ruthless 5-0 demolition of newly promoted Leeds.
After a summer of heavy investment in attacking reinforcements, Liverpool appear to be undergoing a tactical transition under Arne Slot. The Reds kicked off the season against Bournemouth, and it looked like business as usual when they surged into a two-goal lead. But Antoine Semenyo, having suffered racial abuse, silenced the noise with his football – as he netted a brace in little over ten minutes to haul his side level. Liverpool were ultimately too strong as Federico Chiesa struck late from the bench, before Mohamed Salah delivered his customary opening-day goal.
Slot's men then travelled to St James' Park to face Newcastle in what would be a fiery affair. Liverpool lead the game 2-0, scoring either side of an Anthony Gordon red card. Ten-man Newcastle fought back and drew level with minutes remaining, but once again, the reds were bailed out with another late goal – this time from 17-year-old Rio Ngumoha.
The performances and results would suggest Liverpool are struggling to find the right balance, leaving them vulnerable to conceding cheap goals. In contrast, Arsenal have become renowned for having not only the Premier League's meanest defence but one of the tightest across Europe.
Team news
Arsenal have confirmed that Kai Havertz underwent "minor knee surgery" to address an issue sustained against Man United on the opening weekend of the Premier League. He is expected be out for a few weeks.
Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard also picked up injuries last weekend, with hamstring and shoulder issues respectively last weekend against Leeds. Saka will miss the game at Anfield but it remains uncertain whether Odegaard will be fit to travel.
Summer signing and Trent Alexander-Arnold's replacement, Jeremie Frimpong, also picked up a hamstring injury and will be fit sidelined until after the international break.
Stats and Facts
Liverpool are unbeaten in their last 18 Premier League games at Anfield, losing just once v Nottingham Forest last season.
The Reds are winless in their last six league meetings with Arsenal, marking their longest winless streak against the Gunners since an eight-game run between October 2007 and April 2011.
This Sunday is the earliest clash between the previous season's top two sides in a Premier League campaign since 2017-18, when Chelsea won 2-1 at Tottenham in just the second game of the season.
Arsenal have scored from a corner in their last three games – they've never done so in four games in a row before.